I will be travelling from NRT -> ORD -> EWR next year. When I land in ORD, will I need to retrieve my bags in order to clear US customs?
Also, my flight from NRT to ORD is with JAL in business class, and my flight from ORD to EWR is with AA in first class. Will I have Admiral's Club/Flagship Lounge access in ORD with my JAL business class ticket? (I know that the domestic first class is ineligible for club/lounge access).
Typically, with inbound flights into the US, everyone clears customs at the first port of entry (ie ORD in your case) irrespective if they're transiting domestically or internationally.
From CBP.gov:
Everyone arriving at a port of entry to the U.S. is subject to inspection by Customs and Border Protection officers for compliance with immigration, customs and agriculture regulations.
For one to clear customs, they must get their luggage at the first port of entry (ORD in your case) go through customs and recheck-in the luggage from the domestic terminal to fly from ORD to EWR.
There is American Flagship Lounge and American/JAL/Iberia (Admiral's Club) lounges in ORD according to ORD's website, both being in the terminal 3 of the domestic terminal:
All passengers arriving in an US airport, in this case, O'Hare International Airport, Have to pass through immigration, collect baggage and recheck the luggage themselves.
There are no exceptions, even if you are transiting to a third country.
